Best strategy for Wishes and MSEP?

[KellaCat]

We are leaving in 2 weeks, and I wasn't able to FP either Wishes or MSEP and they are both must-do's for me. What's my best option for having good views of both? Where to sit, what time to get there? (We are 2 adults with no kids, no strollers to worry about, etc) Thanks!

ETA: there's one show of each - 9:00 MSEP and 10:00 Wishes

 

[mikepizzo]

I always recommend the top of the train station. I would get there an hour and a half early to ensure you have actual chairs, then send one of you off to get dinner/snacks and eat while you wait.

 

[Robo]

The newest complication at night in MK is that, in addition to Main St. Electrical Parade and Wishes,
Disney has added Celebrate the Magic, a show that is actually projected on the castle front facade. In order to be fully enjoyed, guests must be in a position to clearly see the front of the castle (which means be either IN the Hub, or at least along the northern sections of Main Street.)

CtM starts 15 minutes before Wishes and is considered by many to be more spectacular and fun than MSEP or Wishes.

CtM will cause the Hub to be JAMMED with guests by the time MSEP passes through the Hub.

By running THREE evening spectaculars (at least two of which require a viewing spot in or very near the Hub) Disney has now created an intense bottleneck for guests interested in seeing the shows.

BTW, the upper level of the Main Street railroad station is a spectacular place to view MSEP.
But, it is a relatively poor location to view Wishes, and a terrible location to view CtM.

 

[Robo]

Less crowded than on Main Street, but still spectacular viewing can be found near the Hall of Presidents, or deep into Frontierland, past the Country Bears. (But, from those locations you won't be able to see the spectacular, not-to-be-missed show that is actually projected on the front of the Castle, "Celebrate the Magic," which begins about 15 minutes before the fireworks.)

 

[slickpoetry]

Does the MSEP run from Town Square to Frontierland or from Frontierland to Town Square? I always forget.

 

[Robo]

Does the MSEP run from Town Square to Frontierland or from Frontierland to Town Square? I always forget.

MSEP (Evening Parade): Town Square to Frontierland
FoF (Afternoon Parade): Frontierland to Town Square

 

[dragitoff]

Count me in as one who thinks the train station upstairs is a great spot. One of my little ones is afraid of loud noises and that was a perfect spot for us. Close enough to enjoy and see everything but far enough to be away from some of the louder noises (although it's still loud). It doesn't hurt that it was exceptionally easy to leave the park right after. That was possibly the best part. I got there 90 minutes early as a previous poster recommended. Well worth it.